Danielle DeCormier, LVT, VTS (Oncology), has been a licensed technician for more than a decade and has held a veterinary technician specialist credential in oncology since 2018. Based in Michigan and Virginia, DeCormier is the current director of clinical services education for MedVet—a role she took on in 2022.

DeCormier also serves as the current president of the Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians. She is also a member of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, the Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians, the Veterinary Cancer Society, and Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. Moreover, she became Fear Free-certified in 2017.

Since 2020, DeCormier has been the director at large for oncology at the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians. She regularly speaks at national and international conferences and has contributed to various veterinary publications. Known for her expertise in oncology, DeCormier is also dedicated to furthering the education of veterinary assistants and technicians.

For 6 years, DeCormier served as a reviewer for the Magic Bullet Fund, a nonprofit that provided financial assistance to families seeking cancer treatment for their pets. The fund, which closed in 2024 after helping nearly 900 families over its 20-year history, was dedicated to making oncology care more accessible to pet owners in need.

For half a decade, DeCormier worked with BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She joined the network in 2016 as a licensed veterinary technician, working her way up to regional training partner and regional nursing partner.

No longer in clinical practice, DeCormier is now a compassion fatigue educator, advocating for veterinary well-being. Through her work, she helps veterinary professionals address compassion fatigue and burnout. Her lectures focus on chemotherapy, well-being, training, and leadership, and help professionals manage the technical and emotional demands of their work.

Articles

Danielle DeCormier, LVT, VTS (Oncology) wins the 2025 dvm360 Veterinary Hero award in the veterinary technician category.

2025 Veterinary Heroes: Danielle DeCormier, LVT, VTS (Oncology) (Veterinary technician)

A study recently published in the open-access journal, 

, "Constructing the First Comorbidity Networks in Companion Dogs in the Dog Aging Project (DAP)," analyzed 26,614 dogs and their health conditions to reveal that diseases tend to go together. Veterinarians and researchers can use these data to help treat canine health issues.

“Because pet dogs share our homes, environments, and many of our age-related diseases, mapping how their illnesses cluster and cascade offers a powerful window into the same multimorbidity processes that erode human health and points to earlier detection and prevention strategies for people, too,” the researchers noted.

When humans and their dogs age, conditions and diseases will accumulate. However, according to the research, some are more likely to be comorbid than others. To help gain a better understanding of which conditions could occur in these canine patients as they age, researcher Antoinette Fang, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington, and her colleagues used owner-reported data from dogs across the DAP, which is a long-term study tracking the health of dogs as they age. The researchers then collected data on 160 health conditions from the participating dogs and created comorbidity networks, demonstrating which diseases tend to show up together in dogs and in what order.

“Mining owner-reported data from the Dog Aging Project, we built the first large-scale canine comorbidity network, confirming that diabetes often occurs before cataracts and revealing that health problems tend to cluster around a few key diseases as dogs age,” the authors of the study noted.

These new networks noted some expected comorbidities, such as diabetes co-occurring with blindness or dogs with kidney disease also tending to have hypertension. However, new connections presented themselves within the data, including an association between low iron in the blood and excess protein in the urine. The researchers also noted that when the diseases occurred, dogs tended to suffer hip dysplasia before osteoarthritis, dry eye syndrome before ulcers, and diabetes before cataracts.

 This current study relied on client reports, and the authors hope that these associations and networks will help guide veterinary teams and give researchers some new ideas to improve the lives of aging dogs.

“When we split the data by life stage, we saw disease webs become denser and more centered on a few key conditions as dogs grew older, echoing patterns seen in people. Together, these findings show that network analysis of large pet health data sets can guide clinicians, inform breeding and prevention strategies, and ultimately improve the well-being of both dogs and humans,” the authors stated in their summary.

The data for this research were collected using the Health and Life Experience Survey from the 2021 DAP curated data release and was in support by the National Institutes of Health U19 grant AG057377 (DP, KC, JM), as well as additional grants and private donations, including generous support from the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research, the Tiny Foundation fund at Myriad Canada, the WoodNext Foundation, and the Dog Aging Institute.

 Each funder had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

A new network could help predict health problems in your pup. News release.

EurekAlert!. August 14, 2025. Accessed August 20, 2025. 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1094069

Fang A, Kumar L, Creevy KE, Promislow DEL, Ma J; Dog Aging Project Consortium. Constructing the first comorbidity networks in companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project. 

. 2025;21(8):e1012728. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012728

An analysis of more than 26,000 dogs could give veterinarians and researchers data to help treat canine patients. 

Network offers early warning system for canine health

, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomed Rhys Giannarelli to the show to talk about the importance of understanding what the true cost of having a team at a veterinary practice looks like. Throughout the episode, they discuss not just salaries but also benefits such as retirement contributions, payroll taxes, sick days, and more, as well as why it is crucial to budget for these costs, which can be up to 30% of payroll. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity.

Let's talk a little more about that with budgeting, too, because this budgeting system seems to work across the board. What is it about this system that makes such a big difference for business owners [in] day-to-day operations?

It uncovers the invisible costs. It's something...we just didn't know about. But once we've outlined a...blueprint of what each thing can cost a practice per employer, nothing gets slipped through the cracks. It's basically a checklist. You say, "This is how much this person gets paid [and] how much that person gets paid. This is what they get allocated for each thing." We'll talk about doctors in a second, but it gives you a yearly or a monthly snapshot with no more guessing.... You know exactly what each person is going to cost, and [there is] no surprise at the end of the year because, again, you've budgeted for this. It's...fine to understand or just report what you have paid somebody in that moment, in that month, in that biweekly payroll, but you still need to be able to budget for the future. That's something that I preach a lot about. Owners and managers can confidently assign pay rises, hiring, or equipment replacements, and budget for taxes. This is something that we just don't do, which we should or [pay] for.... Actually, there is no limit when it comes to budgeting itself; it's just a matter of identifying what those margins are.

Podcasts

Discover how to accurately budget for veterinary team costs, including salaries and benefits, to avoid surprises and enhance practice management.

The invisible cost of your team and the money you forget about

A veterinary clinic and surgery center in Mississippi has relocated to a larger location in Hernando, a move that totaled $2.19 million. Meanwhile, a mobile vaccination clinic is offering affordable services to the residents of Austin, Texas, and in Canada, a pet food company is getting ready to make its products available to the United States with the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Montreal.

Continue reading to learn more about these facilities.

Hernando Animal Clinic & Surgery Center (Hernando, Mississippi)

The city of Hernando, Mississippi, has a new 2500 sq ft clinic: the Hernando Animal Clinic & Surgery Center. The opening of the new center, which is more than 3 times the size of the clinic’s prior location, involved a $950,000 building purchase and $1.235 million in renovations, according to Terravet Real Estate Solutions, a veterinary property real estate group that helped finance the clinic’s new location.

According to a news release, the move to the new facility brought Hernando Animal Clinic into compliance with current Americans With Disabilities Act standards. In addition to having more exam rooms, the clinic’s latest location has higher parking availability for clients. Terravet also said the new building includes a subtenant that could be vacated for future expansion.

“The new space allows us to provide a higher level of care and meet ongoing demand from pet owners in the northwest Mississippi region,” Mark Ziller, owner of Hernando Animal Clinic and president and CEO of Innovetive Petcare, said in the news release.

Low Cost Pet Vax, a mobile vaccination clinic service, has brought its unit to Austin, Texas, providing pet owners in the area with opportunities for pet vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, heartworm testing, deworming, and microchipping. According to the organization, all of its veterinary services are administered by veterinary technicians and licensed veterinarians. In an announcement on its clinic expansion, Low Cost Pet Vax acknowledged the rising cost of veterinary services and the large number of unvaccinated pets in Texas, saying its goal is to “bridge the gap by making preventive care accessible.”

"We use the same quality vaccinations as a full-service provider but without charging extra fees for an exam or appointment, keeping prices affordable for pet owners,” Theodore Fausak, Low Cost Pet Vax's Austin operations manager, said in the announcement.

"We want to give every pet in Austin the opportunity to receive needed lifesaving vaccinations and preventative care without financial barriers," added Rod Munsell, DVM, founder of Low Cost Pet Vax.

Formula Raw manufacturing facility (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

The Canadian-based pet food company Formula Raw recently announced the opening of a new 15,000 sq ft manufacturing facility. According to the company, the facility will quadruple its freeze-dried pet food production from 7500 kg to more than 30,000 kg, allowing it to bring its products to the US.

“Certified by CFIA [Canadian Food Inspection Agency], MAPAQ [Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation], and with USDA [US Department of Agriculture] export approval now secured, Formula Raw's...Canadian-made, freeze-dried food and treats for dogs and cats are officially entering the US market,” the company wrote in an announcement.

Currently, the company ships to Asia and is expanding into Europe and the United Arab Emirates, and it is looking for US retail and distribution partners for its expansion to the US. "What started in a tiny facility is now a nationally recognized brand,” Dimitri Manousos, cofounder of Formula Raw, said in a company news release.

Terravet Real Estate Solutions opens renovated $2.19 million Hernando Animal Clinic following strategic acquisition and expansion. News release. Terravet Real Estate Solutions. July 31, 2025. Accessed August 20, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250731226064/en/Terravet-Real-Estate-Solutions-Opens-Renovated-%242.19-Million-Hernando-Animal-Clinic-Following-Strategic-Acquisition-and-Expansion

Affordable pet healthcare provider Low Cost Pet Vax launches pet vaccination clinics in Austin, TX. News release. Low Cost Pet Vax. July 31, 2025. Accessed August 20, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/affordable-pet-healthcare-provider-low-cost-pet-vax-launches-pet-vaccination-clinics-in-austin-tx-302519084.html

Formula Raw unveils state-of-the-art 15,000 sq ft USDA-approved facility, bringing premium Canadian pet food to the U.S. News release. Formula Raw Inc. August 6, 2025. Accessed August 20, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/formula-raw-unveils-state-of-the-art-15-000-sq-ft-usda-approved-facility-bringing-premium-canadian-pet-food-to-the-us-302522026.html

The latest updates relating to animal care establishments and platforms.

Clinic center: Canadian pet food company opens facility ahead of US market entry, and more

Charlotte Weir with Roo relief veterinary services discusses what makes a clinic or hospital's culture in a dvm360 interview.

Identifying the DNA of a practice

What is ‘practice DNA’ and what defines it? Charlotte Weir, vice president of hospital success and industry relations at Roo, will share with attendees at the 2025 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, her insights on how aligning relief professionals with their clinic’s mission, workflow, and culture leads to more seamless integration, stronger teams, and better patient care, during the continuing education session she will present. The session aims to guide veterinary professionals in creating workplace environments that attract top relief talent, reduce burnout, and support long-term hospital success. In a 

interview, Weir discusses some of the characteristics of practice DNA and how it can be used as a tool for success.

The following is a transcript of the video

: Every practice has its own unique DNA, its own unique identity—its own culture, the values, the way your team interacts, the services you offer, client experiences you create. It's sort of what makes your practice yours and no one else's. When we understand what our DNA is, we can better align our staff, relief veterinarians and even our workflows to make our hospitals thrive.

It’s really important to know your practice DNA, define it, communicate it, and just celebrate it. When you understand what makes your practice unique, you create a better environment for your staff, your relief vets, and ultimately, your patients.

Relief veterinarians, succeed when they're treated like true team members, not outsiders. So that's the big takeaway, right? Let's celebrate your success, lend that success to others and partner in that success together.

For more information about the Fetch dvm360 Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, and to register for the 2025 event, 

Videos

Charlotte Weir, vice president of hospital success and industry relations for the relief veterinary service Roo, will discuss what makes a clinic or hospital's culture at the 2025 Fetch Kansas City conference.

Hannah Inman is a veterinary assistant at York Veterinary Services in York County, South Carolina. She is currently working toward becoming a licensed registered veterinary technician. Originally from Tennessee, Inman grew up on a large farm, where she helped raise and breed horses. Initially an aspiring mechanic, Inman stepped into the veterinary profession after giving birth to her daughter and moving away from her home state. According to Inman, her shift into veterinary medicine was primarily driven by her passion for horses and her goal of becoming a licensed veterinary technician specializing in equine care.

“I used to want to be a mechanic. I left Tennessee with my husband, and that's when I got into the veterinary career. I started working at a clinic with no experience, starting at like $10 an hour. It was a very toxic clinic that I stayed at for 2 years until I moved out of there and [started] working [here], which [is much] better,” Inman said in an interview with 

. “I've been trying the last couple of years to get my license to become a registered technician because I can't see myself doing anything else other than horses.”

“I do love small animal [practice], but eventually, if I had a goal to set, then I would want to work with horses only,” she continued. “I grew up [with] horses and riding horses and training horses, and [they’re] just a passion for me that’ll never die.”

When asked what inspires her to go to work every morning, Inman said, “First, partially my daughter. She really loves the idea of being a vet—I try to make that something that hopefully she will want to do when she's older and be successful at—and then also just being able to work with the people that I work with.”

On learning she had been nominated as a 2025 Veterinary Hero, Inman said it was something she “never thought would happen” and that she is very grateful for it. When asked what advice she had for aspiring veterinary assistants or anyone wanting to enter the profession, Inman said, “Just do your best and try to get your foot in the door and be as willing and helpful as you can. That’s all you can do to work your way up.”

Hannah Inman wins the 2025 dvm360 Veterinary Hero award in the veterinary paraprofessional (non-credentialed support staff) category.